V. Narayanan, a distinguished Indian aerospace engineer, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S. Somanath. He is scheduled to assume office on January 14, 2025, for a two-year term.
Born in 1964 in Melakattuvilai village near Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, Narayanan comes from a farming family. He earned his M.Tech. in Cryogenic Engineering and later completed his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
Joining ISRO in 1984, Narayanan has had a prolific career spanning over three decades. He initially worked in solid propulsion for sounding rockets and launch vehicles at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). After completing his M.Tech., he transitioned to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), focusing on cryogenic propulsion. As Project Director of the C25 Cryogenic Project, he led the development of the C25 Cryogenic Propulsion System for the GSLV Mk-III Launch Vehicle. In 2018, he became the Director of LPSC, overseeing the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, as well as chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites.
Narayanan’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ISRO, as the organization is engaged in ambitious projects, including the Gaganyaan mission, Chandrayaan-4, and the development of India’s first space station. His extensive experience in propulsion systems is expected to play a crucial role in advancing these initiatives.
Former ISRO Chairman K. Sivan has expressed confidence in Narayanan’s leadership, noting their similar backgrounds and Narayanan’s rise from humble beginnings to the top of India’s space agency.
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